Today: 31 May 2025
3 November 2023
1 min read

Sitharaman meets Lankan president, assures help in debt restructuring

Sitharaman offered that India could become the lead partner in the initiative through technical collaboration…reports Asian Lite News

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe during her visit to the island nation and discussed a host of issues.

After the meeting, in a post late on Thursday night, the Finance Ministry informed that Wickremesinghe acknowledged the multi-faceted support to Sri Lanka provided by India during the economic crisis.

Sitharaman stated that India would continue to collaborate with the Sri Lankan Government on matters pertaining to debt restructuring.

They discussed India-Sri Lanka joint initiatives in the economic and commercial sphere.

Sitharaman highlighted that the ‘Vision document on Economic Partnership’ adopted during his visit to India in July 2023 will further strengthen the countries’ maritime, air, digital, energy and people-to-people connectivity.

The Finance Minister thanked the Sri Lankan president for inviting her as a guest of honour at the 200th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of Indian origin Tamils to Sri Lanka and complimented him for the excellent organisation of the event.

President Wickremesinghe emphasised on Sri Lanka’s vision to build a new market economy with focus on tourism, sustainability, agricultural modernisation and digitisation and welcomed collaboration with India in these areas.

Sitharaman offered that India could become the lead partner in the initiative through technical collaboration.

She also expressed satisfaction on the progress made in recent negotiations on the economic and technology cooperation agreement and UPI based digital payments and shared her views on investment based support and bilateral investment treaty.

They also had discussions on cooperation in Inter-grid connectivity, aviation, power projects, oil exploration in Mannar.

In continued tradition of friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka, Sitharaman and Wickremesinghe witnessed the exchange of Letter of Exchange and Acceptance on Memorandum of Understanding for promotion of Buddhism ties between India and Sri Lanka.

They also witnessed exchange of MoU on solar electrification of religious places in Sri Lanka. For this project, India will allocate Rs 82.40 crore out of the government of India grant assistance of Rs 107.47 crore earmarked for the promotion of Buddhist ties.

ALSO READ-Lanka Engages Multilateral Agencies for Economic Recovery Talks

Previous Story

Jaishankar meets Italian Defence Minister

Next Story

Bhutan King Wangchuck begins 8-day visit to India

Latest from -Top News

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Mohammed honours football champions

Ruler of Dubai hails players as role models during palace reception His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, received the

Abu Dhabi sets 2050 energy vision

Abu Dhabi unveils AED400 billion energy roadmap, inked climate finance pact ahead of 2026 UN Water Conference Abu Dhabi has unveiled a sweeping strategic framework to transform its energy and water sector

Gargash: UAE’s pragmatism sets regional example

Anwar Gargash says the UAE stands as a beacon of what is possible when pragmatism and vision come together. As political instability, economic fragmentation and rapid technological change continue to reshape the

US flag returns to Damascus

Billions in energy deals and lifted sanctions mark Syria’s reintegration, as US reopens embassy and declares the war-torn nation “open for business” under new regional partnerships. The United States has reopened its
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sri Lanka Ready to Welcome Travellers

All cultural and recreational sites in Sri Lanka are now

Chinese debt trap: Lanka going Ugandan way

Lankan former Army Commander alleged that it has been made